Blast from the Past...

Mike Gilbert at Bayside Cannery, Alviso

Alviso is a tiny neighborhood with a big history. It's just 5 minutes from our office, so we go there a lot for mexican lunches. Here, my buddy Mike poses in front of the former site of the Bayside Cannery. At one time, the Bayside Cannery was the third biggest in the world.

Feeling Blue

A Chinatown Portrait, San Francisco

Pelican, Pelican, No one can like Peli can!

Brown Pelican on Pier, Chrissy Field, San Francisco

One of my three favorite birds (hummingbirds and kingfishers round out the list), I'm always thrilled when I get to see pelicans.

This one was very comfortable around people. He hung out on the pier with fisherman, hoping for a handout.

Egrets... I've had a few,

but then again, too few to mention...

I've been enjoying my lunch-time hikes at the Don Edwards Nature Reserve in sunny Alviso, California. Today, Mike and I got realllly close to this Great White Egret before it took flight.

All Ears

Deer at Alum Rock Park

We were about 10 feet away from this deer, along the Creek Trail at Alum Rock, when she heard something that put her on alert.

California summer leaves

Fall in Cali

For those who think California has only one season, I offer exhibit A: fallen leafs. I went for a 6 mile hike in Alum Rock Park this weekend.

I cannot express how great it is to have a nice hike so close to home.

It Might Choke Artie...

but it won't choke me!

I can never eat a famous California artichoke without recalling that line from the Little Rascals.

Monterey County, just south of us, is the artichoke capitol of the world, so we have no problem getting them fresh, and freshly grilled.

This platter is from Friday night at Los Altos Grill - one of of our favorite local restaurants.

Fern at Alum Rock

From our hike this weekend

Santa Clara Evening Light & Shadow

La Paloma Mexican Restaurant

Angie and I walked up to La Paloma for dinner tonight. I had my regular: chorizo con huevos, flan, and long island iced teas. We shared a perfect California evening for the walk home.

Woody!!

The Acorn Woodpecker

Angie and I had an excellent hike this morning at Alum Rock Park. Saw the usual deer, squirrels, bunnies, and Steller Jays.

In addition, we saw a couple Acorn Woodpeckers.

It's not unusual to see them.

What is unusual is that this one let us get within 10 feet.

Flowers Bloom in the Eastern Hills

- Another day in California

From the crest of the South Rim Trail in Alum Rock Park, this is the view.

It was a day full of sun, breezes, deer, squirrels, and alligator lizards.

Sunset, Dear

- Photography = Light Writing

The better the light, the better the writing.

This is a photo of a deer at sunset in Alum Rock Park in San Jose, California.

Staredown with a Gray Fox:

 Hello Mr. Fox

I went for a hike at Alum Rock Park in the hills of East San Jose today.

On my way down the hillside, I heard a rustling in the bushes.

It took me about 5 minutes to pick out the tips of two furry ears - backlit by the sun - poking up over the tall grass.

I moved down the trail and found a clear view. 

At first, I thought the ears belonged to a bobcat, but I quickly saw that it was a fox.

We had a staring contest for about 10 minutes, then he turned his head.

I closed in for this shot. He then went under a bush, so I moved on.

A ranger confirmed it was a gray fox. They are present in the area, but seen infrequently.

Laughing in the Face of Death (Valley) X:

Death Valley Sand Dunes

Laughing in the Face of Death (Valley) IX:

 Devil's Golf Course

Standing at 200 feet below sea level while looking at an 11,000 foot snow-capped mountain.

Only in Death Valley...

Laughing in the Face of Death (Valley) VIII:

 Natural Bridge Canyon

Laughing in the Face of Death (Valley) V:

 Desert Flower

I love surprise. I love juxtaposition. I love contrast.

Whether it's an outburst of life in an inhospitable environment, sudden silence in a world that's become way too loud, or a taste of coconut in a meat dish (thanks for the beef rendang, Alissa!) - these moments are why I explore. 

For me, travel is a search... a search for moments to be strung together in a necklace of beauty.

Laughing in the face of Death (Valley) II:

 Father Crowley Point, Death Valley NP

Angie poses with our rented 4wd at Father Crowley Point. 

This is just one of the breathtaking views that you can see in Death Valley.

Laughing in the face of Death (Valley) I:

 Death Valley Dunes

Angie and I just spent 5 days in Death Valley.

We spent one morning watching the sunrise over these sand dunes - enjoying the breeze, basking in the warm sunlight, spotting tracks, and marveling at the color and lines of the naked earth. Amazing...

Lunagraphy II

San Francisco Bay

This moonlight picture capture the San Francisco Bay Bridge at night.